David Hanes (b. 1987) is a “self-taught” painter of Canadian and American roots who redirected himself toward a more nature-rooted painting practice after several years of digital, conceptual, and minimal artmaking. Based in Berlin since 2014, he spends a significant amount of his time traversing the globe, which informs his painting practice.

Perhaps best described as nomadic, artworks start from plein-air sketches, which journey with him during his travels to later serve as the ideal “Momentaufnahme” (snapshots), eventually ending up in a new country with totally different circumstances before becoming oil paintings or watercolors. After his time on the road, Hanes settles into a studio or residency to contemplate the collected studies as “souvenirs” or “conduits” to his felt experiences and emotions before he begins painting. A sketched moment from Iceland may turn into a watercolor in Italy and, finally, an oil-painted canvas in Berlin. This puts time and distance between the moment of the sketch and the final canvas, adding a non-observed layer made only by memory and feeling.

Brent Cleveland (b. 1994) is a Montréal-based emerging artist whose evocative, oil pastel drawings bring a unique narrative to life. His work, previously shown at venues like Projet Casa, the Leonard & Bina Ellen Gallery, and the Khyber Centre for the Arts, delves into pop culture and media, portraying characters caught in moody, introspective moments.

Cleveland holds a BFA in Interdisciplinary Studies from NSCAD University and an MFA in Painting & Drawing from Concordia University.

Brent Cleveland’s rigorous drawing practice with oil pastels on paper draws from pop culture and media, presenting characters in moody, dramatic emotional states. This emerging queer artist, who has flourished across the arts sector, now brings a distinctive voice to the visual arts.

Cleveland’s work features humorous, awkward human figures and costumes inspired by fashion and fluid gender expression, often evoking familiar scenes from film. Through Cleveland’s vision, we experience a sense of belonging and the subtle ironies of daily life. His use of vibrant colors and an uninhibited, approachable style brings a fresh perspective to his explorations of identity and everyday moments.